Somebody asked me a while ago what my 'heart' music was. 'Heart' music is that which speaks most directly to you, that which comes naturally and evokes a deep emotional response when you hear it. It's the music that you just HAVE to sing along to. It's unique and personal to everyone, and is often deeply connected to what you listened to as a child.
I've been living in the UK for almost five years now, and, I never would have guessed it, but the music of my homeland, South Africa, is more and more important to me. On honeymoon with my husband in the Drakensberg, a Zulu choir sang to us one night, and I couldn't keep the tears back. I visited Trafalgar Square the day after Nelson Mandela died, and it was the African voices singing that really got to me. Something about South African music - folk music in particular - touches me very deeply.
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| This year, Soundscapes of South Africa is showing at the International Youth Arts Festival (19, 20 July) and the Camden Fringe Festival (3 August). |
Soundscapes of South Africa was born out of this increasing love for the music of my childhood, and also I think the yearning that most of us who live away from our home country experience in one way or another. The music of South Africa also speaks volumes to me about the struggle for freedom, and the continuing struggle for the dignity, peace, and prosperity of ALL who live in the country. Music somehow expresses and also transcends the complex history and current reality of South Africa - the sorrow and the joy - the despair in the face of poverty, corruption and crime, but also hope for our land.
Soundscapes of South Africa is for everyone. It is a mixture of folk, classical and jazz-inspired South African music, featuring the evocative sounds of flute, voices in harmony, piano and percussion. Together with poetry and narration, the music becomes a captivating journey which celebrates this astonishing country's diverse cultural heritage, natural beauty and story of political liberation. Soundscapes premièred at the Didsbury Arts Festival 2013 where it was described as 'excellent,' ‘enthralling' and 'beautifully crafted.'
This year, Soundscapes of South Africa is showing at the International Youth Arts Festival (19, 20 July) and the Camden Fringe Festival (3 August). Please see the Soundscapes website for more details. We want to share this amazing music with as many people as possible, so please spread the word too! We are also running give-aways leading up to the July events - see our Facebook Page to enter!
